Fastening device



March 29, 1938. H. AMSDEN FASTENING DEVICE Filed July 9, 1936 amen vim HOWARD AMSDEN Patented Mar. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to fastening or attaching devices especially designed for use in connection with shipping cartons.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates a simple and quick means by which shipping tags, C. O. D. tags, envelopes, invoices, packing lists and such things may be conveniently attached to a conventional shipping carton without the use of box straps, wire, rope, cord, or other extraneous means.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the use of an initially flat strip of metal formed from rather thin stock stamped or otherwise formed to provide an anchoring base which is preferably positioned against the inner surface of an outer fiap of the carton so that when this fiap is closed, the anchoring base will lie directly over one of the inner flaps of the carton, with an element adapted to project through and beyond the outer flap and having means providing for attachment of a tag, envelope, or other indicator to the carton.

Also, it will be found that a fastening device embodying the invention is protected against loss and is also protected against either being torn or tearing the carton to which it is attached, in addition to which it will be found that the mode of attachment of the device is such that the device is not loosened or endangered by water,

I even though the flap to which it is attached may become water soaked.

A further object is to provide a fastening device of the character specified which is of highly simplified construction, easy to apply and to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective of the improved fastening device applied, the flap to which it is attached being shown in closed position,

Figure 2 isa similar view of the device with the flap in open position,

Figure 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective of the device detached,

Figure 5 is a perspective of a modified form of fastening device applied, the flap to which it is attached being shown in closed position,

Figure 6 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5,

Figure '7 is a perspective of the modified form of fastening device detached.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown several preferred embodiments of the invention, the numeral designates a base or anchoring body, possibly of elongated rectangular form, initially fiat, of course, and stamped or otherwise provided with a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinal cuts openin g out through one end thereof so as to define a partly severed portion in the nature of a tongue 24. The opposite end of the base is notched or cut away as indicated by the numeral so that the base takes a substantially H- shaped form with a pair of spaced parallel legs located at opposite sides of the tongue 24 and extending lengthwise of the body.

In carrying out the invention, the tongue 24 is preferably struck up at right angles to the anchoring base 20 and is provided at a point adjacent the free terminal portion thereof with an eyelet 2B for the safe and convenient passage of a tying element 28, such as a piece of wire or cord. It is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 that the tying element 28 constitutes an attaching means for a shipping tag 30 or any other matter that goes along with the carton 34.

Of course, the metal forming the fastening device is sufliciently pliable or workable to allow of the easy bending of the tongue 24 to the operative position suggested in the several figures of the drawing and where the devices are regularly used in quantities, the flaps 36 of the cartons may be provided with initiallypresent slits for the easy passage of the tongues 24, although, of course, it is a simple matter to provide the flaps 36 or other parts of the cartons with hand out incisions for reception of the tongues 24.

In practice, it is preferable, although not necessary, that the anchoring base 20 be applied to the outer flap at a point directly outward of one of the inner fiaps 40. In this way, the device is held securely between the two flaps which, of course, are brought flatly together when the carton is sealed as suggested in Figure 1.

As brought out in the opening paragraphs of the specification, the device does not require that separate fastening means be employed to secure it in place. For example, it is not necessary to resort to box straps, wires, ropes, cords, adhesive tapes or other fastening means to secure the device in place.

It will be seen that the tongue 24 projects up from the central portion of the base 20 so that it is surrounded on three sides by the anchoring base 20 and the tongue 24 constitutes but a minor portion of the initially solid base 20 so that there is a broad area of contact between the anchoring base and the carton. By reason of this, the easy tearing away of the device from the carton is prevented. Also, the flap 36 is rather thick so that the point of connection of the tongue with the base is protected and more or less strengthened by the immediately outer portion of the flap. To put this matter in another light, the flap 36 extends over and protects the connection between the tongue 24 and the base and the only part of the tongue which is exposed is removed from the juncture of the tongue with the base.

By reason of the relatively broad area of the base 20, the same will remain in place in the carton even though the carton becomes water soaked and the lid or flap 36 is softened considerably.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the body or anchoring base of the fastening device is designated by the numeral 50 and has its central portion formed with a pair of spaced apertures 55, through which a tying or attaching element 56 extends.

The attaching element 56 is preferably in the nature of a strand of pliable or easily bendable wire which is passed through the apertures and bent upon itself and twisted to secure it to the base 50.

In applying the device illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 to a carton, the fastening or tying element 56 is extended through an opening in the outer fiap 60 of the carton 65 with the anchoring base 50 positioned at the inner side of such flap. The anchoring base is preferably located at a point directly outward of the inner flap 62 so that the same is closely confined between the two flaps when such flaps are brought flatly together as shown in Figure 6.

It will be seen that the fastening element 56 is of a length to extend a substantial distance beyond the outer side of the carton so as to form a convenient means providing for the attachment of a shipping tag 10, or other matter to the carton without requiring the employment of separate tying or fastening means. In other words, the fastening device embodies self-contained means to secure the shipping tag 10 or the like to the carton. In addition to functioning as a tying or fastening means, the element 56 also serves as a means for preventing shifting movement or displacement of the anchoring base 50.

With reference to the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that a device embodying the invention is of highly simplified construction;

that it may be applied quickly, easily and safely; that it is economical to manufacture and is neat when applied to the carton, the only part of the device that is exposed being the tongue or attachment element.

It will also be seen that the invention is capable of a Wide Variety of mechanical expressions and that such changes in arrangement and construction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of What is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is:

1. In combination with overlying flaps of a carton, or the like, a fastening device having a base resting flatly against the inner surface of an outer flap and against the outer surface of an inner flap, and an attaching 'member carried by said base and projecting through the outer flap of the carton for connection with an identifying medium to be attached to the carton, the outer flap being sealed to the inner flap, whereby said base is retained in applied position between said flaps and displacement thereof is prevented by said attaching member.

2. In combination with overlying flaps of a carton, or the like, a fastening device having a base resting against the inner surface of an outer flap and against the outer surface of an inner flap, said base having spaced parallel incisions to define a partially severed portion that is struck from the base to provide a tongue extending upwardly therefrom at a point between the ends thereof, said tongue serving as an attaching member and projecting through the outer flap of the carton and being provided with an eyelet for free passage of a tying element for attaching an identifying medium to the carton, the outer flap being sealed to the inner flap, whereby said base is retained in applied position between said flaps and displacement thereof is prevented by said attaching member.

3. In combination with overlying flaps of a carton, or the like, a fastening device having a base resting flatly against the inner surface of the outer flap and against the outer surface of an inner flap, and an attaching member connected to said base and projecting through the outer flap of the carton, said attaching member being in the form of a wire adapted to be connected to an identifying medium for attaching such medium to the carton, the outer flap being sealed to the inner flap, whereby said base is retained in applied position between said flaps and displacement thereof is prevented by said attaching member.

HOWARD AMSDEN. 

